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Resource Maternal and Child Health Fellows Program 2023

Updated April 27, 2023
Related Topic: Health

The Maternal and Child Health Fellows Program is designed to support legislators who are experienced or emerging leaders on maternal and child health issues. Fellows gain the opportunity to learn from peers and health experts while discussing maternal and child health policies and programs being considered by state legislatures across the country. The yearlong fellowship covers intersections with Title V, Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program, as well as legislative trends, innovative research and cost-effective strategies. Topics will emphasize health issues and will include policies and programs to reduce infant and maternal mortality, address mental health and substance misuse, and improve access and care for mothers and children.

The program goals include: 

  • Build knowledge about new research and policy. 
  • Exchange ideas and solutions related to maternal and child health.
  • Meet and learn from other legislative leaders.
  • Connect with leading researchers and policy experts.
  • Identify practical information to use in your state and develop action steps. 
Expand All

Meet the Fellows
  • Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil, California 
  • Sen. Rhonda Fields, Colorado 
  • Sen. Marie Pinkney, Delaware 
  • Rep. Sharon Cooper, Georgia  
  • Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, Hawaii 
  • Rep. Sharon Negele, Indiana 
  • Rep. Michael Bergan, Iowa 
  • Rep. Deanna Frazier Gordon, Kentucky 
  • Sen. Beth Mizell, Louisiana 
  • Rep. Rebecca Millett, Maine 
  • Delegate Terri Hill, Maryland 
  • Sen. Clarence Lam, Maryland 
  • Delegate Robbyn Lewis, Maryland 
  • Sen. Nicole Boyd, Mississippi 
  • Rep. Laurie Bishop, Montana 
  • Rep. Jane Gillette, Montana 
  • Assemblymember Michelle Gorelow, Nevada  
  • Sen. Lisa Barnes, North Carolina 
  • Rep. Sherrie Conley, Oklahoma 
  • Rep. Mark Lawson, Oklahoma 
  • Rep. Randy Randleman, Oklahoma 
  • Rep. Lisa Reynolds, Oregon 
  • Rep. Grace Diaz, Rhode Island 
  • Sen. Alana DiMario, Rhode Island 
  • Sen. Richard Briggs, Tennessee 
  • Rep. Toni Rose, Texas 
  • Sen. Luz Escamilla, Utah 
  • Sen. Daniel Thatcher, Utah 
  • Rep. Patrick Snyder, Wisconsin 

Kickoff Meeting

Friday, January 6

4:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Welcome, Overview and Introductions

This session will welcome the third class of MCH Fellows with an overview of the program and introductions of the Fellows.

Speakers: 

  • Khanh Nguyen, NCSL Health Program
  • Shirley Payne, PhD, director, Division of State and Community Health,
  • Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration

5:45 - 7 p.m. 

Joint Dinner with Opioid Policy Fellows: Setting the Stage

The Maternal and Child Health Fellows will join the Opioid Policy Fellows for networking and dinner. The program will feature alumni of NCSL’s Fellows programs discussing their successes and advice for the newest classes of Fellows.

Moderator: Tahra Johnson, NCSL Health Program

Saturday, January 7

9:15 – 10:30 a.m.

Mohave

Cross-Agency Partnerships for Maternal and Child Health 

This session will highlight the federal-state MCH framework and partnerships. State and federal experts will join the fellows for in-depth discussions on collaborative efforts to improve maternal and child health.

Moderator: Khanh Nguyen, NCSL Health Program

Speakers:

  • Amanda Innes, chief of staff, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration | PowerPoint | PDF file-10 pages
  • Stacy Collins, associate director of health systems transformation, Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs | PowerPoint | PDF file-11 pages
  • Laura Luna Bellucci, chief, Bureau of Women's and Children's Health, Arizona Department of Health Services | PowerPoint | PDF file-6 pages

10:45 – Noon

Maternal and Child Mental Health

This session will offer expert discussion on the pressing issue of maternal and children’s mental health. Speakers will present an overview of strategies and systems of support available to mothers, children and families.

Moderator: Kendall Speer, NCSL Health Program

Speakers:

  • Crystal Clark, MD, associate professor of psychiatry, University of Toronto & Northwestern University | PowerPoint | PDF file-21 pages
  • Luanne Southern, executive director, Texas Child Mental Health Consortium | PowerPoint | PDF file-10 pages

Noon – 2 p.m.

Joint Networking Lunch with Opioid Policy Fellows

Fellows will discuss intersecting issues and network across programs over lunch. An optional fitness walk will also be offered during this time – follow prompts from NCSL staff to participate. 

2 – 3:30 p.m.

Maternal Mortality

A panel of national experts will share their knowledge on best practices to address maternal mortality and morbidity. Topics will include: state infant and maternal mortality review committees, Medicaid coverage, workforce and related prevention efforts. 

Moderator: Khanh Nguyen, NCSL Health Program

Speakers:

  • Julie Zaharatos, maternal mortality prevention manager, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | PowerPoint | PDF file-34 pages
  • Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, MD, senior vice president/chief clinical diversity officer, Allegheny Health Network | PowerPoint | PDF file-25 pages
  • Jennifer Macdonald, director, Division of Child and Family Health, Virginia Department of Health | PowerPoint | PDF file-17 pages

3:45 – 4:45 p.m.

Joint Session with Opioid Policy Fellows: Substance Exposure and Use During and After Pregnancy

Through a population health perspective, Fellows will be introduced to the risks, trends and current possible policy recommendations to address substance exposure and use during pregnancy to both mom and baby.  

Speakers: 

  • Tammy Hill, NCSL Health Program | PowerPoint | PDF file-10 pages
  • Karmen Hanson, NCSL Health Program | PowerPoint | PDF file-20 pages

Sunday, January 8
9 - 9:15 a.m.

Kick Off Day 3

Program staff will welcome Fellows to the second day of programming and the join sessions as well as provide an overview of the agenda.
9:15 – 10: 15 a.m.

Newborn and Developmental Screening

This session focuses on state-level considerations around newborn screening and developmental screening, as well as lessons learned and policy options to optimize outcomes for children who would benefit from early detection of disorders.

Moderator: Kathryn Costanza, NCSL Health Program

Speakers:

  • Natasha Bonhomme, founder, Expecting Health and director, Baby’s First Test | PowerPoint | PDF file-23 pages
  • Dr. Michelle Macias, MD, professor of pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina | PowerPoint | PDF file-24 pages
10:30 – 11: 30 a.m. 

Supporting Children with Special Health Care Needs

This session will highlight trends in programs and services for children and youth with special health care needs. Experts and Fellows will discuss options for state leaders to consider as it relates to treatment and support for children and families.

Moderator: Flora Fouladi, NCSL Health Program

Speaker:

  • Charlene Wong, MD, assistant secretary for Children and Families, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services | PowerPoint | PDF file-31 pages
11:30 – Noon 

Noon Putting it all together: Action Planning and Next Steps

Fellows will work in teams to network, reflect on the MCH issues discussed over the course of the meeting, create action plans and discuss next steps in the program.

Noon

 Adjourn

Second Meeting

Meeting 2: Policy Solutions and Innovations

Saturday, April 22

  
8:30 – 9 a.m. Coffee and Networking
9 – 9:10 a.m.

Welcome and Overview 

This session will welcome Fellows to the second meeting with a review of the program to date and an overview of the day. 

Moderator: Tahra Johnson, director, NCSL Health Program
9:10 – 10 a.m.

Fellows Report Out 

This session will provide an opportunity for Fellows to share updates on their action plans and share new developments, policies and programs in their states with the group. 

Moderator: Tahra Johnson, director, NCSL Health Program 
10 – 11 a.m. 

Supports for Women and Families During the Postpartum Period 

This session will focus on best practices to support families during the postpartum period. Fellows will learn about postpartum care and related policy considerations.  

Moderator: Flora Fouladi, policy analyst, NCSL Health Program 

Speaker:  

  • Sarah Verbiest, DrPH, director, University of North Carolina, Collaborative for Maternal and Infant Health {PowerPoint}
11:15 – 12:15 p.m. 

Maternal Mental Health 

This session will dive into the specific policy levers available to support families and women with maternal mental health disorders and substance use disorder. Speakers will dive into strategies to detect maternal mental health disorders and to screen and treat substance use disorders.  

Moderator: Tahra Johnson, director, NCSL Health Program 

Speakers:

  • Nancy Byatt DO, MS, MBA, professor, Psychiatry, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Population & Quantitative Health Sciences [PowerPoint]
  • Kendall Speer, policy associate, NCSL Health Program [PowerPoint]
12:15 – 1:15 p.m. Networking Lunch
1:15 – 2:30 p.m.

Maternal Health Workforce Innovations  

States continue taking legislative action and investing in innovative workforce strategies to bolster the maternal health workforce. During this session, experts will discuss strategies and provide state policy options such as addressing training, doula and midwife licensure or certification, reimbursement, and telehealth. 

Moderator: Kendall Speer, policy associate, NCSL Health Program 

Speakers:  

  • Veronica Gillispie-Bell, MD, MAS, medical director, Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative and Pregnancy Associated Mortality Review [PowerPoint]
  • Kathryn Costanza, program principal, NCSL Health Program [PowerPoint]
2:45 – 3:40 p.m.

Policy Roundtable Presentations 

After short presentations from national experts in three policy areas, Fellows will have the opportunity to select two of the topics that they’d like to dive deeper into at small table discussions with the experts. 

Moderator: Flora Fouladi, policy analyst, NCSL Health Program 

Speakers:  

  • Leveraging Federal Resources  
    Dawn Levinson, deputy director, Division of Healthy Start and Perinatal Services, Maternal and Child Health Bureau [PowerPoint]
  • Oral Health 
    Chelsea Fosse, director, Research & Policy Center, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry [PowerPoint]
  • Home Visiting  
    Constance Gully, president and CEO, Parents as Teachers [PowerPoint]
3:40 – 4:30 p.m.

Policy Roundtable Discussions 

Speakers:  

  • Leveraging Federal Resources  
    Dawn Levinson, deputy director, Division of Healthy Start and Perinatal Services, Maternal and Child Health Bureau [PowerPoint]
    Amanda Innes, chief of staff, Maternal and Child Health Bureau 
  • Oral Health 
    Chelsea Fosse, director, Research & Policy Center, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry [PowerPoint]
  • Home Visiting  
    Constance Gully, president and CEO, Parents as Teachers [PowerPoint]
    Alison May, policy specialist, NCSL Children and Families Program 
4:30 – 5 p.m.

Putting It All Together: Action Planning and Graduation 

Fellows will reflect on the issues discussed over the course of the meeting, work on action plans and receive their graduation certificates.  

Moderator: Tahra Johnson, director, NCSL Health Program 



Webinar

Review this presentation from the Friday, March 10, 2023 webinar. 

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